The Bioscope (Jan-Mar 1913)

SUPPLEMENT TO THE BIOSCOPE, JANUARY 9, XXX1. x Milano. Punished.—M. Boldini, a civil engineer is called away from home, and finding that his wife is absent from the bedside of their ailing daughter, he asks his old friend, Dr. Paldi, to stay in the house until his return. During the husband’s absence, the medical man discovers that his friend’s wife, Wanda, is engaged in an intrigue with Count Raoul. Dr. Paldi loses no time in pointing out to the erring woman the enormity of the offence she is committing. Wanda turns 4 deaf ear to his entreaties, declaring that she would rather die than abandon the man to whom she has given her heart. The doctor feels now that it is his bounden duty to communicate with M. Boldini, and writes him a letter accusing Wanda. Scarcely has this been sent off than it is regretted. Dr. Paldi informs Wanda and Count Raoul of what he has done, and promises to do his best to avert the coming storm. On receipt of the terrible news, M. Boldini immediately sets off for homes He demands a full explanation. The doctor declares that he has been under a misapprehension, but the husband resolves to keep a close look out as to his wife’s movements. Meanwhile, the doctor has called on the count, and forced him to promise to leave the neighbourhood. Dr. Paldi makes an assignation with Wanda for the purpose of informing her of the result of his visit to Count Raoul. M. Boldini arrives on the scene just in time to witness his wife pouring out tears of gratitude to her husband’s friend for his kindly action. M. Boldini is about to shoot him down, when Wanda flings herself between, and boldly avows that the doctor is not the guilty one. The husband realises that he has made a mistake, but is convinced that his wife has been unfaithful, and he turns his revolver upon the terrified woman, who, sinking to the ground, expires. (Released January 9th. Length 1,050 ft.) Hydraulic Works of Adda.—Among the many pictures of which this film is composed are some taken of a celebrated bridge, which is the largest in the world, consisting of a single span. Standing 300 ft. above the level of the river, it passes across a rocky gorge, through which masses of foaming water can be seen racing along on their mad course to the mighty sea. (Released January 11th. Length 341 ft.) The Washerwoman’s Husband.—A farcical comedy, in which washerwoman, laundry, and an enormous plank play decisive and emphaticréels. The hero is Kelly. (Released January 16th. Length 490 ft.) The Doctor’s Close Call.—A young medical man, who has got run down, leaves his sweetheart and goes to the West to recuperate. One day out in the wilds he assists an injured man. This act wins him the regard of the man’s pals, and they invite the medico to stay with them. But he was not aware that he was partaking of the hospitality of a gang of horse stealers, and was surprised when he found that he and his friends were being at tacked by a party of cowboys bent on vengeance. He decides to stick by his associates, and this ended by his being taken prisoner and sentenced to death by the rope. Rumours of his conviction found their way into the papers, and a timely order from the Secretary for Home Affairs saved the doctor from a criminal’s fae. (Released January 15th. Length 959 ft.) . Essanay. The Mother of the Ranch.—Dan Hart, a ranchman on the Mexican border, starts b for a distant town with a load of cattle. leaving his wife and daughters alone. Several hours later one of the girls is getting water from the creek, when she discovers the Mexicana and rebels are fighting again. Hastening to the ranch, she tells her mother, ne Digitized by assy grrere for any emergency. That night four of the rebels cross the border line, discover the flag flying in the ranch house yard, and are hauling it down when one of the girls fires from the window and wounds one of their number. The rebels gain entrance to the house, overpower the girls, and imprison Mrs. Hart in a bedroom. The brave woman manages to free her hands, lowers herself from the window, swims across the creek to the barn, saddles a horse, and rides for the sheriff. The rebels find some liquor in the house, and become boisterous. The girls manage to escape, ard take refuge in the barn. Mrs. Hart spreads the news, and starts back on a wild ride with the sheriff and posse. The rebels are reeling out of the house when ihe posse dash up. The ruffians are shot down by the enraged cowboys. Returning to the ranch house, the boys find Mrs. Hart and her daughters clasped in her husband’s arms. (Released January 16th. Length 986 ft.) The Letter.—Carlton Kirby, a thieving politician, offers Senator Denton $10,000 to vote for his Bill in the Senate. Denton refuses. Later in the day Denton changes his mind and writes Kirby a letter, agreeing to vote for the Bill if the offer still holds good. This letter he neglects to mail, and leaves it in his desk. Called out of town, Denton is seated in the railway station when his brain conjures up a vision of himself on the floor of the Senate, congratulated first by his colleagues for putting the Bill through, and then surrounded by a cursing, angry mob, who threaten his very life. Hastening to a telegraph office, Denton wires his daughter, Renee, to destroy the letter in his desk addressed to Kirby. Winslow, a friend of Kirby’s, discovers the contents of the wire, hastens to Denton’s home, secures the letter, substitutes a blank ‘in its place, and takes the paper at once to Kirby, who conceals it in the top of his hollow walking stick for safety. The theft is discovered, and Denton realises he is trapped. A detective is employed, but fails to find the letter in Kirby’s house. Renee adopts the disguise of 4 lady agent, hires a tough to shoot and scream under Kirby’s window, and in the excitement secures the letter from the hollow cane. Returning home, she restores it to her father, who takes her in his arms and gives thanks for his salvation. (Released January 16th. Length 988 ft.) The Moving Finger.—Stumbling into the squalor of her miserable tenement room, the Woman, a victim of drink and dissipation, sinks down at the table and lights the half-burned candle. Slowly the memories of other days return, and we see her happy with her husband in their cottage. One morning a motor-car stops at their gate, and the Man enters for a drink of water. Their eyes meet, and the man goes away. Returning next day, he finds her alone, paints a glowing picture of the gay city life, and begs her to come with him. That evening her husband returns, and finds the note on the table saying she has gone with one who can give her the luxuries she craves. In the whirl of the city, the Woman is very happy, then one night the Man enters and she discovers the gloves of the Other. Woman in his pocket. She denounces his perfidy, and he leaves her. The Woman writes her husband, begging forgiveness, and asking him to take her back. “You have made your bed, lie in it,” is the answer that is returned her, and the scene fades to the misery of the tenement room. Crushed, the wretched Woman slowly shreds the letter, smiles bitterly, snuffs out the spluttering candle, and sinks down upon her cot as the light fades into blackness. . (Released January 19th. Length 988 ft.) The Ranchman’s Anniversary.—Jake Simpson, a ranchman, is celebrating his wedding anniversary. Through the ranch house window the boys see him kiss his wife, and Bill Todd hits on a scheme to fool the old man and make him jealous. Bill takes Edith Simpson into his confidence, and she promises to help him. That evening she persuades her mother to visit a neighbouring ranch. Bill now dons a feminine disguise as near like Mrs. Simpson as possible, then gets one of the cowboys to make love to him, and stands with his back to the ranch house window. Edith and one of the boys slip into the house where old Simpson is asleep, substitute blank cartridge in his revolver, then send another of the Keysitoatélbihe old man that his wife NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY